More changes for Orioles as new series begins

More changes for Orioles as new series begins
The Orioles are in New York for the next three nights, with their roster again reset, a role changed and one confirmed. Keegan Akin isn't a starter and has been assigned to the bullpen as a second left-hander after Tanner Scott was placed on the 10-day injured list with a sprained left knee. He can provide more length than Scott, but also might be needed just to get three outs in a matchup-type role late in games. Akin tried to play the part of Scott yesterday, at least in terms of usage, by...

What's left to look forward to after the trade deadline?

What's left to look forward to after the trade deadline?
The trade talk is silenced. Another important date is crossed off baseball's calendar. Unless you get excited over expanded September rosters - and only two additional players may be added in 2021 - there isn't much left beyond the actual games. For the Orioles, attention to the minors only intensifies. Like the Adley Rutschman watch as he keeps pushing for a promotion to Triple-A Norfolk. It can't be much longer. And how convenient if he simply has to go from Richmond, where Double-A Bowie...

Elias talks about trade deadline, minor league injuries and more

Elias talks about trade deadline, minor league injuries and more
The Orioles tried to trade at least one of their relievers prior to today's deadline. Talks began more than a week ago and kept moving at varying paces until 4 p.m. The effort wasn't lacking, only an agreement. Triple-A reliever Shawn Armstrong was dealt to the Rays this morning for cash considerations. Injured shortstop Freddy Galvis was sent back to the Phillies for Single-A pitcher Tyler Burch just before the negotiating window slammed shut. No one in the current bullpen had to pack up and...

Santander back in Orioles lineup vs. Tigers

Santander back in Orioles lineup vs. Tigers
The Orioles reinstated outfielder Anthony Santander from the COVID-19 injured list today and optioned pitcher Thomas Eshelman to Triple-A Norfolk, again lengthening their bench to four players. Santander is in tonight's lineup in Detroit, playing right field and batting fifth. The 40-man roster had room after the Orioles traded injured shortstop Freddy Galvis to the Phillies. Manager Brandon Hyde said the team will take another day or two to determine the status of pitcher Keegan Akin, to...

Orioles trade Galvis to Phillies

Orioles trade Galvis to Phillies
The Orioles managed to make another trade at the 4 p.m. deadline and again didn't touch a player on their active roster. After dealing Triple-A reliever Shawn Armstrong to the Rays this morning for cash considerations, the Orioles sent injured shortstop Freddy Galvis to the Phillies for 23-year-old Single-A pitcher Tyler Burch. Galvis hasn't played since straining his quadriceps muscle June 26 in Buffalo, the last image of him as an Oriole being carted off the field. He batted .249/.306/.414...

Orioles trade Armstrong to Rays (Hartman claimed off waivers)

Orioles trade Armstrong to Rays (Hartman claimed off waivers)
The Orioles kicked off the final day of baseball's trade deadline by moving one of the organization's relievers. Not one who's on the active roster or has been riding the waves of rumors and speculation. The Rays have acquired right-hander Shawn Armstrong from the Orioles for cash considerations. A source confirmed that a deal was close and the Orioles just announced it. Armstrong was designated for assignment on June 4 after posting an 8.55 ERA and 1.900 WHIP in 20 games. He accepted his...

Trade deadline arrives today with O's still trying to make a deal

Trade deadline arrives today with O's still trying to make a deal
We've plummeted below the 24-hour mark until reaching baseball's trade deadline. It's the final countdown. We're leaving together, but still it's farewell. Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias is fielding and making calls, the activity brisk but producing nothing so far that's impacting the roster and the rebuild. There aren't many trade chips on the table, but contenders certainly are expressing interest in a handful of them, most notably in the bullpen. Quite similar to...

Notes on Valaika, Santander, Galvis and Wells

Notes on Valaika, Santander, Galvis and Wells
There isn't much news to report from the Orioles as afternoon moves into evening. Pat Valaika is out of the lineup again tonight in Detroit, his last start coming Sunday against the Nationals. He played an inning last night. Manager Brandon Hyde indicated that Valaika is fine physically. "I'm just giving (Domingo) Leyba some opportunities against right-handed pitching," Hyde said on his Zoom call. Valaika hit a home run on July 21 and two more the following game. He had a single and RBI in...

Wondering how holes could be filled if trades go down

Wondering how holes could be filled if trades go down
To keep the activity in its proper order, discussions about filling vacancies on the Orioles roster should be tabled until trades are consummated. But who said anything about being proper? The Orioles are receiving interest in left-handed relievers Paul Fry and Tanner Scott, and removing one likely leads to a promotion from Triple-A Norfolk. They are the only southpaws in the bullpen. This could open the door for veteran Fernando Abad, who has spent the entire season with Norfolk. The 5.23 ERA...

Orioles and Nationals lineups

Orioles and Nationals lineups
The Orioles are going for the sweep this afternoon with John Means making his second start since exiting the injured list. Means allowed five runs in five innings Tuesday night against the Rays and the Orioles held him to 78 pitches. He's made one career start against the Nationals and surrendered three runs and four hits in two-thirds of an inning on Aug. 16, 2020. Ramón Urías gets a break today, with Pat Valaika at shortstop and Domingo Leyba at second base. Trey Mancini is the...

Franco rejoins the Orioles (and other notes)

Franco rejoins the Orioles (and other notes)
The Orioles reinstated third baseman Maikel Franco from the injured list this afternoon and he's in the lineup for the series opener against the Nationals at Camden Yards. Roster space for Franco was cleared yesterday with infielder Kelvin Gutiérrez optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. Franco hasn't played for the Orioles since spraining his right ankle June 30 in Houston following back-to-back three-hit games. He's batting .221/.265/.376 with 18 doubles, nine home runs and 42 RBIs in 309 plate...

Akin starting Wednesday (plus lineup and other notes)

Akin starting Wednesday (plus lineup and other notes)
Left-hander Keegan Akin is starting Wednesday afternoon's series finale against the Rays at Tropicana Field, the last road game before the Orioles enjoy an off-day and then host the Nationals over the weekend. Akin is 0-5 with an 8.19 ERA and 1.800 WHIP in 13 games, including eight starts. He faced the Royals on Friday and allowed six runs and eight hits with three walks in three innings. Thomas Eshelman stays in the bullpen for long relief. The current rotation sets up as Akin, Jorge...

Trying not to overthink the Urías situation

Trying not to overthink the Urías situation
Among the many improbable and insane developments in the 2021 season is the suggestion, as phrased in manager Brandon Hyde's postgame Zoom call following Sunday's win in Kansas City, that Ramón Urías could be a "long-term" solution at shortstop. In no way is this meant to slight Urías, but he seemed to have a slippery grip on a 40-man roster spot earlier this year and now he's trying to turn Freddy Galvis into Wally Pipp. Urías had just registered his seventh multi-hit game in...

Will the trade deadline be quiet in Birdland?

Will the trade deadline be quiet in Birdland?
It could be a quiet trade deadline this year in Birdland. Some players that might have attracted at least modest interest, such as shortstop Freddy Galvis and third baseman Maikel Franco, have gotten hurt, while right-hander Matt Harvey has an ERA of 7.70. The Orioles would certainly find interest if they wanted to trade a talent with a lot of team control remaining, like Cedric Mullins, Ryan Mountcastle, John Means or Austin Hays. But aren't they players they should be building around for the...

Early production from Stewart and Urías leads Orioles to win

Early production from Stewart and Urías leads Orioles to win
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde told the media prior to the break that DJ Stewart would get more chances to play, that their conversation included instructions to keep his head up. A crowded outfield wouldn't push Stewart out the door or too far down the bench. "It's a long season left," Hyde said, "and he's going to get plenty of at-bats here in the second half." In the lineup for only the third time this month, Stewart singled twice and had an RBI and two runs scored by the third inning....

Mancini comes off bench to tie game, Orioles lose in 10th

Mancini comes off bench to tie game, Orioles lose in 10th
The All-Star break is a time for rest and reflection, and Orioles manager Brandon Hyde knows exactly why his club has the worst record in the American League. Precisely what he's going to think about before play resumes Friday night in Kansas City. "For me," he said this afternoon, "it just shows you how far away we are, pitching-wise." Spenser Watkins tried to narrow the gap a little, maybe present Hyde with another option and keep earning more chances. He held the White Sox to one run in...

Orioles and White Sox lineups

Orioles and White Sox lineups
The All-Star break arrives after today's series finale, with the Orioles sending rookie Spenser Watkins to the mound for his second major league start and third appearance. Watkins held the Blue Jays to one run over five innings last week. Ryan McKenna gets the start in left field and Austin Hays is in right. Ryan Mountcastle is the first baseman and Anthony Santander is the designated hitter. Trey Mancini is on the bench before participating Monday in the Home Run Derby. Hot-hitting Ramón...

Walks and woozy bullpen team to topple Orioles 12-1 (updated)

Walks and woozy bullpen team to topple Orioles 12-1 (updated)
Manager Brandon Hyde can laugh now about the play Wednesday night that began as a blown call on a missed catch by left fielder Ryan McKenna and resulted in a run scoring and no outs recorded rather than the triple play that the Orioles thought might be possible. Catch a break? The Orioles are overdue, as Hyde noted. Anthony Santander slid into second base with an apparent double tonight leading off the fourth inning and removed his shin guard, an umpire signaled home run after the ball bounced...

Orioles and White Sox lineups (plus notes and injury updates)

Orioles and White Sox lineups (plus notes and injury updates)
Austin Hays is in left field tonight to open the final series before the break, Anthony Santander is in right and Kelvin Gutierrez is making his first start for the Orioles at third base. Pedro Severino is catching for tonight's game against the White Sox. Austin Wynns is taking ground balls at first during batting practice. Jorge López is making his fifth career appearance and fourth start against the White Sox. He's allowed 13 earned runs (14 total) and 27 hits with 25 strikeouts in 21...

Gutierrez among Orioles reserves for tonight's game

Gutierrez among Orioles reserves for tonight's game
The latest roster move made by the Orioles this afternoon occurred after they decided that Maikel Franco's day-to-day status was leaving them vulnerable. Franco hasn't played in a week due to a sprained right ankle and today went on the 10-day injured list retroactive to Sunday. Kelvin Gutierrez replaces him on the active roster and is on the bench for tonight's game against the Blue Jays at Camden Yards. "Without an extra infielder ... he wasn't available in Anaheim, wasn't available...